The President of the Republic Mr Demetris Christofias, asked by the press yesterday, on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the new wing and the museums of St Rafael and St Marina Church in Xylotymbou village, to comment on the intention of the US President Mr Barack Obama to appoint a special envoy on the Cyprus problem, said: “the information on the appointment of an envoy by Mr Obama is not just information. It is something that has already been announced also by representatives of the Greek Cypriot community, who have discussed it with the official aides of Mr Obama. If Mr Obama decides to appoint a special envoy - representative, he is welcome. Provided that the policies of the United States will respect the Republic of Cyprus and contribute to just and viable solution, we would welcome such a representative”.

In response to another press question, President Christofias said that there are no foreign plans on the negotiating table, but the fact that the negotiating process is owned by the Cypriots does not mean that the government does not want the help of the international community.

“We want this help and we pursue it because there are also the international aspects of the Cyprus problem. The violation of the international law, the presence of occupation troops, the violation of the human rights of the Cypriot people, the presence of thousands of settlers in Cyprus, the issues of guarantees and security, constitute international aspects of the Cyprus problem and the international community has the duty to look into these issues and help us solve them, given that Cyprus is a small state and cannot by itself, does not have the power by itself to solve these issues”.

In reply to a comment that there may be foreign interventions, President Christofias said that he will continue to struggle and if there are any interventions, he will handle them.